Barbara Lee’s super PAC boasts $1.5M Q2 earnings, maps out victory plan.
The Race for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Seat: Super PAC Raises $1.5 Million
The super PAC supporting Rep. Barbara Lee’s bid for retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat is making waves with its impressive fundraising efforts. In the second quarter of this year alone, the PAC has raised over $1.5 million, according to a memo obtained by the Washington Examiner.
The memo, circulated to major contributors, highlights the importance of boosting Lee’s name recognition statewide. It points to internal and public polling that reveals a significant majority of California voters are still undecided, making it crucial for donors to support the PAC’s efforts.
A Clear Path to Victory
“In order to give Barbara a fair shot at making the top-2 next March, the next few months are critical, and we need to raise another $8.5 million to reach as many likely voters as we can,” the memo reads. “If you’ve been hesitating to get involved, understandably wanting to make sure this is doable before jumping in — the answer is clear: this race is winnable. Barbara Lee will be California’s next U.S. Senator if we have the resources to tell voters about her.”
The memo also highlights the committee’s “message advantage,” noting that when voters learn more about all the candidates, Lee’s support grows by over 300%, while the other candidates remain stagnant.
While the $1.5 million figure may seem modest compared to other candidates’ fundraising hauls, such as Reps. Adam Schiff’s $8.2 million and Katie Porter’s $3.1 million, it is still a significant achievement. Lee’s numbers are also comparable to long-shot Democratic candidate Lexi Reese’s $1 million haul this quarter.
California’s “jungle primary” system adds an interesting twist to the race. Candidates from all parties compete to be one of the two finalists in the general election. Given the state’s heavily blue tilt, it’s not uncommon for two Democrats to advance to the general election.
The PAC’s organizers, political consultants Nathan Barankin, Brian Brokaw, and Dan Newman, began fundraising for Lee’s bid early on, even before her campaign gained momentum. This was while Schiff was solidifying his front-runner status in the race.
Feinstein’s absence from the Senate due to health issues has created challenges for Democrats. With a slim 51-49 majority, one absence gives Republicans an opportunity to block partisan efforts. Despite calls for her resignation, Feinstein has remained steadfast in her commitment to serve out the remainder of her term.
Feinstein’s health concerns have put Gov. Gavin Newsom in a difficult position. Newsom had previously pledged to fill Feinstein’s seat with a black woman if she were to retire early, following his appointment of Sen. Alex Padilla, a Hispanic male, to replace Vice President Kamala Harris. Lee, being a black woman, was one of Newsom’s top choices to fill Harris’s seat. However, Newsom is now cautious about getting involved in the 2024 primary race for Feinstein’s replacement.
Despite polling behind Schiff and Porter, Lee’s potential appointment by Newsom would give her the advantage of incumbency in the primary race.
For more information, click here to read the full article from the Washington Examiner.
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